A MER I C A N Bliss
Mark Bliss has returned to town and to the first restaurant he can call his own, and there couldn’t be a more congenial place for sampling New American cuisine. Simplest dishes seem to be the best so far — but then we were expecting a great deal. 926 S Presa, (210) 225-2547, foodisbliss.com
Blue Star Brewing Company This bistro pub offers classic and nouvelle cuisine spins on Southern favorites. The Blue Star Grass Fed Burger with ground bacon and scallop salad are top faves, but look for ever-changing specials and charcuterie offerings. 1414 S Alamo, Ste 105, (210) 212-5506, bluestarbrewing.com
ting. There are kitchen gardens and many products are locally sourced. Highlight: Well-stocked tequila bar and inventive cocktails. 23808 Resort Pkwy, (210) 276-2500
Donnie’s Italian Beef
Donnie’s brings pure Chicago meaty goodness to San Antonio. Vienna beef dominates the menu, but the Italian beef is the star. 4939 NW Loop 410, (210) 562-3661, donniesbeef.com
Drew’s American Grill
Drew’s is still finding its way in the deli/American mode, but talented chefs and hospitable hosts suggest there will eventually be much to celebrate beyond pastrami and NY Style cheesecake. 18740 Stone Oak Pkwy, (210) 483-7600, drewsamericangrill.com
LUNCH •DINNER SUNDAY BRUNCH TUESDAY - THURSDAY 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. FRIDAY - Saturday 11 a.m. - 12 a.m. SUNDAY 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
NEW MENU NEW DIRECTION NEW HOURS
EZ’s Brick Oven & Grill
▲Big Easy Café
Big Easy bests most cartoon Cajun/Creole places by concentrating on genuine flavors and generous portions. The smothered pork chop is uncommonly good, the jambalaya rocks, and grandma’s bread pudding tries very hard to live up to its supersweet and buttery rum sauce. 4822 Walzem, (210) 653-5688, bigeasycafesa.com
Boehler’s Bar & Grille
Owned by the Boehler family (and friends) since 1890, the building with a fun-house tilt on the edge of the Pearl complex is still worth a visit post Liberty Bar thanks to a resounding hanger steak sandwich and pecan-crusted schnitzel. 328 E Josephine, (210) 227-1890, boehlersbarandgrille.com
Chatman’s Chicken
STEVEN GILMORE
This Eastside pocket of friedchicken heaven serves its birds juicy and cracklin’, but the real prize is a box of fried corn fritters and okra. 1747 S WW White, (210) 359-0245
Cibolo Moon at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
Cibolo Moon is both better and less interesting than it should be in a corporate hotel set-
Since 1989, people have come for the beautifully grilled burgers, wood-fired brick oven pizzas, award-winning salads, and succulent Rosemary Chicken. Now they come back again for the health of it: no trans fats, MSG, modifiers, genetically modified foods, or any other unhealthy junk. No kidding, this is the real stuff. And still damn tasty, too. Multiple locations. 255 E Basse, (210) 804-1199, 734 W Bitters, (210) 490-6666, ezsresaurants.com
Flagstop Café
Most of the menu is made up of fried chicken, burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast tacos. The chicken is pretty good — maybe not as good as your grandma’s, but generous, flaky, and moist. 28425 IH-10 W, (830) 981-4413, flagstop.com
1414 S. Alamo #105 H In the Blue Star Arts Complex 210-212-5506 H 1-866-813-5506 H bluestarbrewing.com
FRANKFURTER
EXPRESS THE
Friendly Spot
This family-accommodating ice house boasts a playground, a worldly selection of over 180 beers, interior-Mexico tapas, phenomenal burgers du jour, and excellent micheladas (also:movie nights on huge Slab Cinema screen). 943 S Alamo, (210) 2242337, thefriendlyspot.com
Little Aussie Bakery & Café
The fare of The Little Aussie needs no qualifier; it’s not “good for gluten-free food,” it’s just plain good. Innovative additions like Seafood Pizza, Spinach Alfredo Pizza, and the Lamb Big Bloke CONTINUED ON PAGE 40
A favorite among the locals, it’s just one of the many mouth watering hot dogs we’re famous for. Come by and treat yourself to the best dogs in SA.
111 KINGS CT • 737-7774 frankfurterexpress.com
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